The 10 Tactics of Fascism

[dseag2]

See if you recognize any of these.

1. The mythic past. Fascists promote a glorified mythical past to make people dissatisfied with the present. The past is painted as a time of greatness. That greatness was based on a strong military and the fact that the dominant racial group ruled over the others. Fascists claim that the “leftists and communists” have “taken your greatness from you.”
2. Propaganda. Fascists lie and manipulate language in order to rewrite the shared reality of the population. Fascist propaganda is based around naming “friends” and “enemies.” The political opponent is declared to be a merciless threat to the nation.
3. Anti-intellectualism. Fascists attack universities and educational systems because they could potentially teach people to challenge fascist ideas. The fascist leader sets the rules about what is true or false. Expertise, even reality, is a threat to the authority of the leader.
4. Unreality. Freedom and political equality require truth. Fascist voices work deliberately to create a state of unreality. Its adherents lose the ability to recognize truth. Reasoned discussion and debate is replaced with conspiracy theories and lies.
5. Hierarchy. Fascists create a hierarchy of human worth. They promote social divisions and harden social rankings over such things as race, religion, and gender. Once the hierarchies are in place, people are controlled by being kept nervous and frightened about the possibility of losing their place in the hierarchy.
6. Victim-hood. Once people come to believe that they are higher than another group in the hierarchy, any move toward equality by lower groups is used to stoke feelings of resentment and victim-hood among the dominant population. Equality becomes, not a goal, but a threat.
7. Law and Order. “Law and Order” politics is used to cast “them” as dangerous, lawless, criminals and to justify brutal crackdowns on minorities or people who are out of favor. Minority groups are considered “law-abiding” only as long as they accept their subservient role. At the same time, however, the fascist leader is not bound by any law.
8. Sexual Anxiety. A fascist hierarchy is rigidly patriarchal and is threatened by gender equity. Hence, they impose strict control and dominance over women. They also promote paranoia about homosexuality.
9. Sodom and Gomorrah. Fascist movements typically emphasize an urban/rural divide. The cities are portrayed as decadent criminal centers full of enemy “elites” and immigrants. City dwellers don’t even do “real” work (with their hands) like rural folks do.
10. Arbeit macht frei. (Work shall make you free). This slogan was written on the gates of Auschwitz. Fascists claim that the minority group and the leftists are lazy by nature and must be made to work (hence, concentration camps and forced labor camps). Labor unions are said to be run by communists – so unions must be crushed. Since hard work (by the underclasses) is the primary virtue, fascists ultimately decide that the disabled have no value and devise ways to get rid of them.

10 Tactics of Fascism - Insight

Republicans are actively using fascist tactics to take over the United States.

insight.bibliotech.us

 

[multivita-man]

The mythic past.

Humans are storytellers. It's understandable why we fall for these myths.

 

[Evilroddy]

dseag2:

Three or perhaps four or five more facets of Fascism are needed to complete your list IMHO. They are:

11. A national project or great work which the state must muster all citizens to realise. This act of manifest destiny is often born out of the mythical scaffolding you mentioned in point #1.

12. Hate or at best suspicion of the "other", The other is usually portrayed as a threat to the great work and thus must be watched, driven out or destroyed.

13. The acceptance and normalisation of violence as a legitimate means towards the state's ends. That violence may be personal, collective (mob) or state driven violence.

14. The mistreatment of women as second-class citizens whose reproductive ability is held in higher regard than their abilities and equality.

15. The Cult of Personality and Leader Worship which is more a facet of totalitarianism rather than being just limited to Fascism.

Cheers and be well.
Evilroddy.

 

[Evilroddy]

Humans are storytellers. It's understandable why we fall for these myths.

multivita-man:

We're all searching for our mything history and that often is a road to serious societal mythtakes which lead us to mythery. Then we say to our peers, "That's another fine myth you've gotten us into!".

Be well and be safe'
Evilroddy

 

[element94]

See if you recognize any of these.

1. The mythic past. Fascists promote a glorified mythical past to make people dissatisfied with the present. The past is painted as a time of greatness. That greatness was based on a strong military and the fact that the dominant racial group ruled over the others. Fascists claim that the “leftists and communists” have “taken your greatness from you.”
2. Propaganda. Fascists lie and manipulate language in order to rewrite the shared reality of the population. Fascist propaganda is based around naming “friends” and “enemies.” The political opponent is declared to be a merciless threat to the nation.
3. Anti-intellectualism. Fascists attack universities and educational systems because they could potentially teach people to challenge fascist ideas. The fascist leader sets the rules about what is true or false. Expertise, even reality, is a threat to the authority of the leader.
4. Unreality. Freedom and political equality require truth. Fascist voices work deliberately to create a state of unreality. Its adherents lose the ability to recognize truth. Reasoned discussion and debate is replaced with conspiracy theories and lies.
5. Hierarchy. Fascists create a hierarchy of human worth. They promote social divisions and harden social rankings over such things as race, religion, and gender. Once the hierarchies are in place, people are controlled by being kept nervous and frightened about the possibility of losing their place in the hierarchy.
6. Victim-hood. Once people come to believe that they are higher than another group in the hierarchy, any move toward equality by lower groups is used to stoke feelings of resentment and victim-hood among the dominant population. Equality becomes, not a goal, but a threat.
7. Law and Order. “Law and Order” politics is used to cast “them” as dangerous, lawless, criminals and to justify brutal crackdowns on minorities or people who are out of favor. Minority groups are considered “law-abiding” only as long as they accept their subservient role. At the same time, however, the fascist leader is not bound by any law.
8. Sexual Anxiety. A fascist hierarchy is rigidly patriarchal and is threatened by gender equity. Hence, they impose strict control and dominance over women. They also promote paranoia about homosexuality.
9. Sodom and Gomorrah. Fascist movements typically emphasize an urban/rural divide. The cities are portrayed as decadent criminal centers full of enemy “elites” and immigrants. City dwellers don’t even do “real” work (with their hands) like rural folks do.
10. Arbeit macht frei. (Work shall make you free). This slogan was written on the gates of Auschwitz. Fascists claim that the minority group and the leftists are lazy by nature and must be made to work (hence, concentration camps and forced labor camps). Labor unions are said to be run by communists – so unions must be crushed. Since hard work (by the underclasses) is the primary virtue, fascists ultimately decide that the disabled have no value and devise ways to get rid of them.

10 Tactics of Fascism - Insight

Republicans are actively using fascist tactics to take over the United States.

insight.bibliotech.us

That is actually the criminal right-wing playbook now! They need to be removed and prosecuted where appropriate. The slime in political power on the right turns any true American's stomach, they are confederate.

 

[multivita-man]

multivita-man:

We're all searching for our mything history and that often is a road to serious societal mythtakes.

Be well and be safe'
Evilroddy

It probably started here, in the caves of the world, with mystics explaining to their clans why they were 'special' and 'superior' to other beings, be they apes or antelopes.

 

[SNOWFLAKE]

Fascists are Socialists, even though Fascists have always hated and hunted down Socialists. Just ask our resident specialists on what a Fascist is.
I mean seriously, take the Nazis for instance. National Socialist German Workers' Party. SO, it's in their name, they are socialists, just ask our resident specialists.

 

[Bergslagstroll]

This is also an important part of Fascism, from the OP.

"It is important to remember that fascist dictators are controlled and supported by wealthy business leaders who profit from oppressing a subdued and fearful working class.

To the powerful, it is the same old game of maximizing power and gain. The dissatisfied underclass that is currently rebelling against the “liberal elites” and giving power to the new order will eventually be its greatest victim."

That business leaders are willing to go along with or activitly support those movement. Both in the past during Nazi Germany and today with the MAGA movement.

The American axis : Henry Ford, Charles Lindbergh, and the rise of the Third Reich / Max Wallace | Smithsonian Institution

www.si.edu

Business collaboration with Nazi Germany - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

https://www.axios.com/2025/08/15/white-house-rating-big-beautiful-bill

Tim Cook appeals to Trump’s love of gold with a 24-karat base for Apple plaque

President Trump hosted Apple CEO Tim Cook at the White House as they announced new US investments. Cook also gifted Trump a plaque with gold base.

www.usatoday.com

 

[Bergslagstroll]

dseag2:

Three or perhaps four or five more facets of Fascism are needed to complete your list IMHO. They are:

11. A national project or great work which the state must muster all citizens to realise. This act of manifest destiny is often born out of the mythical scaffolding you mentioned in point #1.

12. Hate or at best suspicion of the "other", The other is usually portrayed as a threat to the great work and thus must be watched, driven out or destroyed.

13. The acceptance and normalisation of violence as a legitimate means towards the state's ends. That violence may be personal, collective (mob) or state driven violence.

14. The mistreatment of women as second-class citizens whose reproductive ability is held in higher regard than their abilities and equality.

15. The Cult of Personality and Leader Worship which is more a facet of totalitarianism rather than being just limited to Fascism.

Cheers and be well.
Evilroddy.

Even number 13 is already happening in the US. With those who assaulted cops not only pardoned but also welcomed to the White House. While a rioter urging fellow rioters to kill cops is now considered a "valuable member" of the Justice department.

https://www.npr.org/2025/08/07/nx-s1-5493197/doj-trump-jan-6-defendant-jared-wise-capitol-riot

 

[The AntiDonald]

This is also an important part of Fascism, from the OP.

"It is important to remember that fascist dictators are controlled and supported by wealthy business leaders who profit from oppressing a subdued and fearful working class.

To the powerful, it is the same old game of maximizing power and gain. The dissatisfied underclass that is currently rebelling against the “liberal elites” and giving power to the new order will eventually be its greatest victim."

That business leaders are willing to go along with or activitly support those movement. Both in the past during Nazi Germany and today with the MAGA movement.

The American axis : Henry Ford, Charles Lindbergh, and the rise of the Third Reich / Max Wallace | Smithsonian Institution

www.si.edu

Business collaboration with Nazi Germany - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

https://www.axios.com/2025/08/15/white-house-rating-big-beautiful-bill

Tim Cook appeals to Trump’s love of gold with a 24-karat base for Apple plaque

President Trump hosted Apple CEO Tim Cook at the White House as they announced new US investments. Cook also gifted Trump a plaque with gold base.

www.usatoday.com

Second paragraph being the most important. When the Fascist leader takes full control, the 2nd Amendment will be the first to go. A Fascist can't rule with an armed population.

 

[NWRatCon]

Second paragraph being the most important. When the Fascist leader takes full control, the 2nd Amendment will be the first to go. A Fascist can't rule with an armed population.

Joke's on them.

 

[NWRatCon]

multivita-man:

We're all searching for our mything history and that often is a road to serious societal mythtakes which lead us to mythery. Then we say to our peers, "That's another fine myth you've gotten us into!".

Be well and be safe'
Evilroddy

Robert Asprin would be proud.

Another Fine Myth - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Bergslagstroll]

Second paragraph being the most important. When the Fascist leader takes full control, the 2nd Amendment will be the first to go. A Fascist can't rule with an armed population.

There are also stages before that, when for example minorities and those who oppose the regime are afraid to carry guns because it can be used as an excuse for arrest and even being shot. While armed citizens and groups loyal to the regime terrorize minorities and others who are labeled as enemies against the regime.

Like for example how armed citizens and groups helped to uphold slavery and segregation in the US. With for example the Tulsa massacre and there other groups like union members also faced violence.

Tulsa race massacre - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Ludlow Massacre - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Yankee Doodle]

Second paragraph being the most important. When the Fascist leader takes full control, the 2nd Amendment will be the first to go. A Fascist can't rule with an armed population.

I have a little trouble with this one. At no time did Hitler ever take away the right of "His" people to own firearms. During his rise the shooting sports were encouraged amongst Germans and especially the young.
I really don't think Republicans will ever do anything that would take away the gun rights of their most faithful followers who might be summoned upon to using these arms against their perceived enemy.
Which brings me to the realization that it was a mistake by the left to paint anything firearm related as bad as now honestly Dems are behind the 8 ball on personal protection in a country where mostly only the morons are armed and can quickly be summoned by their leadership in the form of militia to suppress freedom

 

[Bergslagstroll]

Neoliberalism started with the promise that it would “free people from government tyranny”. While it now ends with authoritarian far right leaders taking power with the backing of oligarchs. The promise was also a lie from the start with neoliberal economics and politicians supporting Pinochet.

What is neoliberalism? A political scientist explains the use and evolution of the term

The word ‘neoliberal’ gets thrown around a lot, often with differing and even contradictory meanings. Here, a political economist explains the origins and evolution of this complex concept.

theconversation.com

Inequality has risen from 1970 to Trump − that has 3 hidden costs that undermine democracy

The Republican tax bill is set to worsen inequality, government data shows. It’s part of a 50-year trend that’s affecting the social fabric as well as the economy.

theconversation.com

 

[NWRatCon]

I have a little trouble with this one. At no time did Hitler ever take away the right of "His" people to own firearms. During his rise the shooting sports were encouraged amongst Germans and especially the young.
I really don't think Republicans will ever do anything that would take away the gun rights of their most faithful followers who might be summoned upon to using these arms against their perceived enemy.
Which brings me to the realization that it was a mistake by the left to paint anything firearm related as bad as now honestly Dems are behind the 8 ball on personal protection in a country where mostly only the morons are armed and can quickly be summoned by their leadership in the form of militia to suppress freedom

While I agree with much of this, your final paragraph is a gross mischaracterization of "the left's" view on firearms. Trust me on this, non morons are armed, too, and know a great deal about "personal protection." Granted, there is a great risk to the population from such "militias", but they can only succeed after a significant fight. Some of us still believe in the Constitution and rule of law.

 

[The AntiDonald]

I have a little trouble with this one. At no time did Hitler ever take away the right of "His" people to own firearms. During his rise the shooting sports were encouraged amongst Germans and especially the young.
I really don't think Republicans will ever do anything that would take away the gun rights of their most faithful followers who might be summoned upon to using these arms against their perceived enemy.
Which brings me to the realization that it was a mistake by the left to paint anything firearm related as bad as now honestly Dems are behind the 8 ball on personal protection in a country where mostly only the morons are armed and can quickly be summoned by their leadership in the form of militia to suppress freedom

We're not talking about republicans if Trump establishes a true dictatorship. There will be no more republicans or democrats. And remember, Trump's been a Democrat longer than he's been a republican. I recall Trump saying one time, let's get the guns and worry about the constitution later. That's how he really feels. He will
take away the first and second amendment faster than he can fart.

On Hitler and Germany, I seriously doubt they had more guns than citizens at that time. This country is a different animal.

 

[Evilroddy]

Robert Asprin would be proud.

Another Fine Myth - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

NWRatCon:

I was thinking of Robert Lynn Asprin and ripping off his pun-schtick while posting that one. Just another mythadventure which he inspired. Oddly, while I liked the puns (I know they are the lowest tier of humour) I really did not get into his stories.

Cheers and be free.
Evilroddy.

 

[spud_meister]

Second paragraph being the most important. When the Fascist leader takes full control, the 2nd Amendment will be the first to go. A Fascist can't rule with an armed population.

The US has a long history of using an armed majority to oppress an unarmed minority.

 

[The AntiDonald]

The US has a long history of using an armed majority to oppress an unarmed minority.

As I said before, that's as long as conservatives still have a say in our laws. When a true dictator takes power, there are no more political parties. Just one ruler.

And you have it backwards about the gun ownership.

From AI:
Gun owners represent a minority group in America; surveys show that roughly one-third of American adults personally own a gun, while another 10% live in a household with a gun owner but do not own one themselves. In October 2023, Gallup reported that 44% of U.S. adults said a gun was present in their home or on their property.

 

[Bergslagstroll]

As mentioned in this thread are we social creatures that likes stories. So more social division, reduced trust and lack of visions for future like during the last decades open the door for fascists.

So that is now needed is constructive storytelling to overcome biases, create empathy and support real change. While also grassroot organizations that can both strengthen local communities as well as defend democracy and create real political change.

Storytelling: A tool for change

How does destructive storytelling disrupt peaceful societies and relations? And what makes storytelling destructive? A roundtable at the 2024 Stockholm Forum on Peace and Development explored the power of storytelling and what makes a story impactful and constructive for peace. This blog builds...

www.sipri.org

How South Korea’s Democracy Saved Itself

The rapid response to Yoon’s martial law decree emerged from democratic practices embedded in society. Whether they can hold firm against rising polarization is another question.

carnegieendowment.org

Anti-Trump Protests Planned Across U.S. for Labor Day

"The power to take back our country for working people, not billionaires,” one organization said ahead of the action.

time.com

 

[NWRatCon]

NWRatCon:

I was thinking of Robert Lynn Asprin and ripping off his pun-schtick while posting that one. Just another mythadventure which he inspired. Oddly, while I liked the puns (I know they are the lowest tier of humour) I really did not get into his stories.

Cheers and be free.
Evilroddy.

I liked both, actually. I had a number of them, but in looking him back up, I found that there were many more written/published after the cache I have. Off to the Library!

 

[Evilroddy]

I liked both, actually. I had a number of them, but in looking him back up, I found that there were many more written/published after the cache I have. Off to the Library!

NWRatCon:

Enjoy searching for these mythinglinks! I hope reading what you missed doesn\t make you too mythanthropic.

Cheers and be the next Myth America.
Evilroddy.

 

[NWRatCon]

NWRatCon:

Enjoy searching for these mythinglinks! I hope reading what you missed doesn\t make you too mythanthropic.

Cheers and be the next Myth America.
Evilroddy.

I expect to be thoroughly mythaligned, make no mythtake. I'll be honed in like a mythle.

 

[Evilroddy]

I expect to be thoroughly mythaligned, make no mythtake. I'll be honed in like a mythle.

NWRatCon:

You sound like you are on mythamphetiaines. One day you'll have a near myth will addiction or worse. "Keep a myth upper lip", was always good advice given by Mythter Chips and Myth Jean Brodies to their more mythguided students.

My this is mythspent time and effort. Enough of this absurd word smything!

Cheers and be well.
Evilroddy.